Ganondorf hovered a meter off the ground, his fingers splayed wide as a red aura swirled around him, his black hair swishing back and forth just above the floor as small bolt of electricity leapt from horn to horn. Quickly, he balled his fists and grit his teeth, a sharp pain shooting through his forehead and leaving an aching sensation behind. That day in Labrynna Castle, he had absorbed Mahlik without issue, but Majora was a different story, the ancient demon wishing not to be contained, imprisoned in the body of another, trying to rip his way out constantly. Ganon slowly brought his elbows in as he called upon the power of the Anteforce and his Triforce of Power, the two artifacts energy, bolstered by his own managed to quell Majora for now, but it wouldn't be long before he acted up again.
The Demon King turned towards the door to what used to be the King's quarters, the room was spacious and elegant, white walls with golden fringes and silver accents surrounded the space while the furniture went with the same color scheme, it reminded him much of Hyurle Castle...if he hadn't already promised Kanthos this land in exchange for his service, he'd level it with a swipe of his hand. As he took a step forward, he was stopped by a knocking sound, no, a banging...fists against glass. He spun around, his mind struggling to find a way someone could have snuck up on him...freezing as he laid his eyes on the mirror, his eyes going wide as his younger self looked back at him, his long red hair falling round his shoulders, golden eyes narrowed in anger.
"What is this trickery?" Ganondorf growled.
"You...you killed Naora." his younger version accused.
"Stop this at once!" Ganon called, looking around the room, his mind spinning.
"We were a good man! But you ruined it!" his younger self yelled.
"Naora killed herself, she was a traitor, she didn't understand what comes with war." Ganon thought to himself, his brain going back to that moment, playing it over and over.
"We could have been great...ruled our people benevolently...but you answered to the call of the darkness...you betrayed the Gerudo."
"Once I take Hyrule, the entire land will be theirs." Ganon said through gritted teeth.
"You aren't on the path to taking Hyrule...the decisions you have made will destroy it." his younger self stated.
Ganondorf stood stalk still, this was real, he had concluded, he didn't want to think about it...but the reflection in the mirror was him...but at the same time it wasn't...it was Kai. "What do you want?" he growled.
"You still have a chance, to make all of this right."
"I am Demise, the Demon King! You were just a false identity I assumed when I knew no better! You don't exist, you never did and never will, I am my past, my present, and my future, I am Demise, I am Ganondorf, I am the Demon King and I am a God." he growled, his chest heaving as anger surged through his veins.
"You know that's not true, you tire of this." Kai said, black tendrils slowly rising, entangling him.
"I am the Demon God, this world will belong to me as will all others." he growled, his eyes going wide as the tendrils wrapped around Kai's neck, strangling him.
"You still have a chance..." he breathed, reaching a hand towards the mirror.
"NO!" Ganon roared, smashing a fist into the mirror, the object and the wall behind it blowing away.
The door flew open as Shilara rushed in, scimitar at the ready. "What is it?! What's wrong brother?" she asked urgently, looking rapidly from side to side.
"Shilara...have I made a mistake?" he asked, his aura dying down as he looked into a shard of the mirror, looking upon his transformed demonic visage.
"What do you mean?" she asked, lowering her blade.
"I killed Naora." he said, his black and red eyes slowly returning to their natural color as he thought about her.
"She tried to kill you." Shilara said, a confused tone to her voice.
"I fear I've strayed from the path I set forth for myself, in all of my centuries of life, I only sought to take Hyrule, I coveted it and only it, but I've ripped apart a land that I had no business with...my conflict spreading to it out of pure greed. I wanted Hyurle out of necessity, so I could lead our people to a better life, and rid them of the Hylians that hated us." he said, his cape flowing as a breeze blew through the room.
"What is this all about?" Shilara asked as she narrowed her eyes.
"I've thought long about my actions, I've wondered what Mother and Father thought, I've wondered if what I've done to Naora is justified, and I've wondered if I've a right to Hyrule any longer." he admitted.
"Mother and Father don't matter, you told me that when we left, and while I found Naora aggravating at first, I did see her as a sister after the battles we fought together...but she had no magic...she was a liability, the Sheikah woman almost killed her in Labrynna Castle...we're going to move much faster without her. All that you've done, it was for the right reasons, I believe that." Shilara stated, sheathing her sword.
Ganondorf lowered his head, he wanted to agree, but he found he was hesitant to do so, the image of Kai being strangled burned into his mind.
oOo
"Where's Ganondorf? I want to speak with him."Oreck said, brushing his chest length hair out of his face as he approached the Hylian Knight.
"What? You think he keeps me posted on his comings and goings? He doesn't exactly hold me in high regard either." Mathias answered while continuing to sharpen his blade.
"We've been here for months, when are we actually going to do something?" Oreck asked, looking out over the small gatherings of building in the sand around the Castle.
"I don't know and I don't dare ask." Mathias replied.
"Why do we need this land anyway? He's a god right? If he needs an army and boats can't he just create them?" Oreck asked aggressively.
Mathias put his sword down and sighed, meeting his comrade's gaze. "Look, I don't know how all of this works, maybe he ins't quite a god, or maybe he isn't a powerful one, it might be that the Gods and Goddesses' powers are exaggerated, you never know for certain." Mathias said exasperatedly.
"Why are you here?" Oreck asked.
"I don't have much of a choice to be honest, one of Ganondorf's former minions asked me to steal something from an important person...I tried and failed, but apparently my loyalty got me into his lordship's favor. I could run, try to escape, but in this land there's no where to go, and even if I did make it back to where we're from, I'd be doomed to a life of hiding, as I'm not a fan of being executed...all of this if Ganondorf doesn't catch me first." the Knight explained.
Oreck turned toward the edge of the wall they sat atop, the sun beating down on them, his thoughts drifted to Link, Kallil, and his home of Oak Hollow, he found himself missing the heavily forested and even tempered weathers of Hyrule in this Goddesses forsaken land.
"So, why are you here?" Mathias asked, returning the question.
"I don't want to talk about it." Oreck growled.
"Fine, fair enough, had something to do with you being jealous of your friend, the Hero, right?" Mathias said as he stood up, giving his sword a spin.
"I'm here for my own reasons." Oreck growled.
"Whatever you say." Mathias responded.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Oreck asked as he reached for the Goht mask slung over his shoulder.
Just then a lightning bolt flew between them, both men stepping back in surprise.
"Calm down." Kanthos said as he walked out onto the wall.
"Ah, Kanthos, care to join us? Plenty of room to have a seat." Mathias said as he gestured to across the wall. During the months they'd been fighting to take this land, Kanthos had become less of a mystery to the group, apparently being to this land as Ganondorf was to Hyrule, but he was far more personable than the Demon King.
The dark skinned sorcerer narrowed his eyes as he approached the two, gazing upon the legions of soldiers marching below.
"So what's the deal? After Ganon's done with them, he's going to hand them over to you?" Mathias asked.
"Our agreement was; if I helped him, he would give me this land and it's people to rule...something I've been trying to achieve for years." Kanthos answered.
"Aren't you afraid he'll go back on his word?" Oreck asked.
"I've been fighting battles my entire life, I have no problem with beginning another if need be." the sorcerer answered.
"Don't let the boss catch you saying that." Mathias remarked as he examined his blade.
"I came to ask you something...what's so special about this...Hyrule?" Kanthos asked.
"A lot of people say a lot of things, but the general consensus is that it has good weather, bountiful resources, and an endless reserve of magic for it's people to draw upon. Every country has their sorcerers and magicians, but none as many as Hyrule." Mathias answered.
"Sounds intriguing." Kanthos said, his minf beginning to churn over the effects such place could have on his power.
"It's all just one giant forest, with a Royal family that doesn't care about it's people." Oreck interjected, his gaze remaining on the ground below.
"It would seem I'll have to wait to see what you've said is true, according to Ganondorf we'll be paying a visit to a place called Gamelon first. Lord Ganondorf says he took that land long ago and his enemies are attempting to take it back.
"What's so special about Gamelon?" Oreck inquired.
All three men looked up as a crash rang out above them, brick and mortar falling through the air as a cloud of dust expanded out.
"I don't know and I'm not going to ask." Mathias answered as he went back to sharpening his sword.
oOo
Hyrule
Link strolled through the tunnel, the torches barely lighting the area around him as he watched the text on the columns go from modern Hylian to it's older forms as he passed. It was something he did often, making his way down to the tomb of the Royal Family to pay his respects.
He walked further down the row, stopping upon finding a grave that was even more personal, one he couldn't ignore. His Triforce of Courage glowed brightly, slowly feeling as if it was pulling towards the grave in front of him.
"Paying respects to yourself?" Zelda asked as she approached.
"Strange, is it not?" Link asked.
"How so?" Zelda responded, though she knew the answer.
"Our mortal bodies lye in this tomb...yet here we are." Link answered.
"That's how it always is for us, I thought you knew that." Zelda said with a puzzled expression.
"I wish I could return to my body from the "Mythical Age" as they call it, it was far more attractive than this one." Link said.
"Surely you jest." Zelda said with a short laugh.
Link returned the laugh, looking towards the end of the crypt, his oldest incarnation laid to rest here was from the era before the Twilight War, almost 500 years ago. "There are only four of our bodies down here, makes me wonder what happened to the rest." Link remarked.
"They are likely still where they were buried in the Royal Family's original Crypt in old Kakariko." Zelda answered as she looked upon the resting place of her former self. "Kind of eerie if you think about it, bodies that once belonged to us being right here." she continued.
"That's what I was getting at, it's a strange feeling few others could understand." Link replied.
"True that is." Zelda answered as she leaned her head on Link's shoulder. The Hero and Princess stood in silence, every now and then moving down the corridor to pay respects to other regents, rulers, and their other incarnations.
"Did you hear about Erris and Cia?" Zelda asked, breaking the silence.
"What about them?" Link asked as he headed for the crypt's exit.
"They were attacked by a soldier during the Son of the Horror's siege." she stated as she caught up.
Link gestured ahead of him, Zelda beginning up the stairs while he followed. "Were we not all attacked by soldiers?" Link responded.
"According to Erris, this soldier's mind was his own." Zelda replied.
"You don't think Erris would lie about this? Link asked as he stopped. "It would suit him pretty nicely, one of Hyrule's soldiers attacking him of his own free will, it would give him the perfect excuse to go back to his old ways." Link said as his expression hardened.
"Link, I know he mightn't deserve forgiveness, but he's doing his best to help us win the fight against Ganondorf and repent for his actions." she responded.
"He's slaughtered Hylian, Zora, and Goron alike in vast quantities...forgiveness may be beyond his reach...besides, for all we know he could only be helping us in order to get his Kingdom back." Link argued.
Zelda sighed, she knew Link had a point, as she had caught herself thinking about the possibility before. "Whatever his intentions may be, we've neutralized his magical abilities and Cia is more than willing to be watchful of him." Zelda said.
Link nodded as the couple continued up the stairs and made it to the corridor that lead to the the Castle's garden. Link's thought's drifted towards Cia, he remembered when he first met her as Lana, he had just begun his quest, sword and wooden shield in hand when he encountered her in a village deep within what is now Faron Woods. She fought with him vigorously and was a great friend and ally, but Link couldn't help but notice her become quieter when they joined with Zelda, her upbeat and happy mannerisms vanishing as she became more quiet and reserved. He'd often find her watching from afar as he and Zelda caught up, but she'd always walk away after she'd been seen, and after the final battle with the man Link knew as "The King of Darkness", she simply vanished, never reappearing to Zelda or Link until now, and even though she resided in the Castle and she attended council meetings, she and Link had yet to speak, the two avoiding each other for the five months since she'd returned.
Zelda spoke first as they walked through the door, a light snowfall greeting them. "You know, from what Cia told me, she couldn't sense their assailant and neither could Erris. He had a powerful spell cast upon him that masked his presence to magic users...and he claimed to represent something called the "New Order" ...what do you think this means?" she asked, apprehension in her voice.
Link moved in closer and took her in his arms, placing his forehead against hers. "Likely the ravings of a soldier who had lost his mind after too many night patrols." Link said with smirk. "We have at least six hours before Audrik gets back, we could have some uninterrupted time together before he arrives to unleash a rant unto you." he remarked.
"More like four hours, I do have a council meeting this evening." she said with a smile.
"That's more than enough time, Link said as he pursued her through the garden, brushing passed hibernating plants as they ran. Link was within arm's reach of the Princess as his hears twitched, a strange sound closing in on the two.
"Zelda! Watch out!" Link said as he grabbed her, pulling her in close.
The two watched as a ball of energy flew down to them, coming to a stop directly in front of the couple.
"What is it?" Zelda asked as she took a step towards it, letting out a surprised yelp as she and Link shielded their eyes whilst the orb released a bright flash.
Link lowered his arm and opened his eyes slowly, dropping his arms quickly as his eyes opened wide.
"What? Where are we?" Zelda asked as she spun around, looking to Link.
Link turned, seeing Castle Town in the distance. "Hyrule Field..." he answered as he examined his surroundings.
Zelda felt a chill travel up her spine as he sensed something, she whirled around and lifted her hand, stopping six arrows in mid-air.
Link drew the Master Sword as he looked on, a squad of what must have been twenty soldiers closing in on them, their armor definitely having been crafted in Hyrule, but the crest of the Royal Family had been stripped from it, now replaced by to swords crossed above what looked to be staff.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Zelda yelled as she summoned her armor and rapier.
"We've found them." the leading soldier said as he raised a Seer's Stone to his helmet.
Link and Zelda exchanged glances, the Princess calling out once again. "This must be some mistake, I am your regent, attacking me is punishable by death!" she said, attempting to intimidate the advancing force, but the soldiers remained quiet.
"Serving Ganondorf won't end well for you, even if you are to be successful in felling us, he'll toss you aside once he no longer needs you." Link said as he stepped forward.
"We don't serve Ganondorf, we serve a new Hyrule in which he will no longer be threat, and the Hero and Princess will be no more as the archaic ways of this country are done away with. Your time has passed." the lead soldier called as he drew his sword. "Kill them!" he shouted, the archers nocking their arrows.
Zelda brought up a barrier, the incoming projectiles bouncing off of it.
"The New Order, I presume." Link remarked.
"I'm guessing so." Zelda replied as she dropped the shield.
Their attackers broke off into three groups as they made to surround the two, Link and Zelda standing back to back.
"Ready?" Link asked.
"Always." Zelda replied.
The Princess teleported away as Link darted to the left. Zelda reappeared behind a squad of soldiers, scattering them with an energy blast while Link dodged dodged an arrow and charged one of the soldiers, shattering his blade with the Master Sword before performing a spin attack, taking down the his remaining opponents.
The Hero and Princess reunited in front of the last squadron, blades at the ready.
"Impressive." the leader called out as they cautiously approached. "But it won't be enough!
Link called on his Triforce, a golden aura roaring to life around him as Zelda did the same.
The group charged, all ten soldiers extending their arms and releasing bolts of electricity. Zelda quickly teleported she and Link away, materializing a meter to the right of where they stood.
"Sorcerers." Link said as he grit his teeth.
"More like magicians." Zelda said confidently as she extended a hand and with a wave she caused the ground beneath their attackers to break apart and toss them to the ground.
Link charged as the group regained their footing, slashing at the leader. "Who are you?" Link demanded as he tensed.
"Doesn't matter." he said as he teleported back, shooting a ball of energy at Link, the Hero easily cutting through it and continuing forward, intercepting a slash, countering with a stab, and fading back as his opponent made another slash at him. Link performed a spin attack, knocking his attackers blade from his grip.
"Yield." Link said.
"Never!" his opponent shouted. The man let loose a torrent of flame at the Hero of Legend, eyes going wide as Link walked through it, Master Sword easily blocking the attack. "Impossible.." he gasped.
Link lunged forward, the stream of fire ceasing as he smashed the broad side of his blade into his opponent's head, rendering him unconscious. "I'll need to have a word with you later." the Hero remarked.
Zelda attempted to keep track of Link's battle with squad's leader, only to be interrupted by the emergence of another attacker. The Princess darted around an energy blast, dodging behind the soldier and delivering a slash to the back of his neck before releasing an electricity bolt at another soldier, hitting him dead center in the chest. She turned to find three other men flying through the air, Link having finished the leader and performed a spin attack on the nearest attackers.
"Nice of you to finally render some aid." Zelda said.
"No need to thank me." Link said as he charged forward, swiping away a ball of flame as Zelda deflected a bolt of energy.
Zelda teleported ahead, appearing directly in front of a soldier before driving her rapier into his chest, Link hitting the ground with a roll as one soldier slashed at him and the other threw a ball of energy. Link stood quickly, performing the helm splitter on one solider before turning towards the other. Zelda telekinetically caught her opponents blade before tossing him away, looking up in time to see Link's opponent charging a blast, only for the Hero to grab the man's hand, dissipating the attack.
"I don't think so." Link quipped. Delivering a slash to his chest.
"Is that all of them?" Zelda asked as she made her way to Link, their aura's dissipating as Link pointed to the leader.
"I left him alive to answer our questions." Link said as they began towards the man, who was, at the the moment regaining consciousness.
Zelda and Link made their way to his side, standing above him.
"Who's commanding you?" Link demanded as he knelt down and grabbed the man by the neck.
"Tell us and we may lighten the consequences of your actions." Zelda added.
The man laughed loudly, pulling a dagger from his belt as Link stepped back.
"You will meet your ends soon enough! Long live the New Order." he said, driving the blade into his heart.
Link and Zelda looked on, taken aback by the man's action.
"What do we do now?" Link asked as he knelt, shaking the man's limp body.
"He's already gone." Zelda replied.
"Might as well see who he is." Link said, grabbing hold of the man's helmet, only to be blasted back as their assailant's body burst into flame.
"What the hell?!" Link exclaimed as he stood, Master Sword at the ready.
Zelda slipped into a fighting stance as the man's body burned away. "Link, do you sense that?" she asked.
Link nodded in response, narrowing his eyes as beam of light struck the ground, an armored figure standing where it hit, his eyes glowing green.
"It's not Ganondorf, his energy is different." Zelda observed.
"I'm not going to stand around and talk this time, this ends now!" Link yelled as he charged forward, their new opponent raising his hand and tossing Link back telekinetically.
"Link!" Zelda called as she ran to him, placing a hand on his chest.
"I'm fine." Link said as he recovered.
The Princess stood, shooting a barrage of energy bolts at the Sorcerer, the man deflecting all of them.
Link called upon his Triforce once more, it's aura flaring up around him as he ran forwards. The Sorcerer attempted to blast him back once more, Link managing to force his way through the psionic wave.
Link darted forward, dodging energy blasts as he approached. Link slashed as he came into reach, the Sorcerer blocking each strike with an energy barrier before loosing a blast of electricity at Link, the Hero catching it with his blade as Zelda hit their attacker from the side with a ball of light energy.
The Sorcerer stumbled back, barely catching a slash from Link as he jutted out his other arm, a bright flash forcing both Link and Zelda the flinch. The Sorcerer teleported to a nearby rise, extending and arm out and jutting out two fingers.
Link and Zelda exchanged glances as the ground shattered beneath them, erupting in flame and molten Earth.
Zelda teleported to Link, managing to levitate both of them away before they could be struck. The Princess looked up to find their attacker was gone, only for him to appear in front of them. Zelda dove in, her rapier clashing with an energy barrier while Link performed a jump attack, the Sorcerer telekinetically pushing him back.
"He's powerful, I'll give him that." Link said as he and Zelda regrouped.
"But we've fought worse, and we've won together." Zelda replied.
The Princess and Hero charged the Sorcerer, both dodging around energy blasts and bolts of electricity as they ran. The two converged on the man, Zelda slashing horizontally as Link swung diagonally. The Sorcerer teleported out of the way and reappeared behind Zelda, delivering a bolt of electricity to her back. Link grew enraged as she cried out in pain, flying forward, sword drawn back. The Sorcerer raised a shield, only for Link to shatter it, stabbing his blade through the man's shoulder. He stifled a yelp as he raised his opposite arm, charging a blast of energy before a light arrow struck him in the chest, hurling him back a few meters, landing face down.
Zelda stood shakily, Light Bow dissipating in her hands. "Link, he can't get away." she said.
The Hero started forward, pausing as the Sorcerer stood, glaring at the two before disappearing in a column of green flame.
"Damn!" Link yelled, sheathing the Master Sword as he ran to Zelda. "Zelda, are you hurt?" he asked, helping her stand.
"I'm fine, I've taken worse." she answered.
Link gave her a small smile before letting it fade, looking across the torn patches of land.
"I'm sorry...I wasn't fast enough." he said as he lowered his gaze.
"It's fine, I believe we'll be seeing him again soon." she replied.
"I'll make sure the guards are watching for anyone suspicious, I'll have Viscen increase patrols and-" Link said, Zelda cutting him off.
"We shouldn't reveal this yet, it cause fear to take root in the Castle, increased patrols would worry the people which would only make matters worse, I'm afraid we'll have to keep this to ourselves for now." Zelda said, Link acknowledging silently while the two made their way back to Castle Town.
oOo
"Where are you going?" the Zora Princess asked as they trudged along.
"My home, Gerudo Desert." Naora answered, pulling her foot free from the swamp's mud covered ground.
"Wait, but we can't go there!" Kyra called, running to the Gerudo woman.
"Why not?" Naora said as she turned, eyes resting on the Zora girl.
"My people can't survive in the desert...not for long." Kyra said, looking towards the ground.
"There are plenty of springs for you to take refuge in, don't worry." Naora said as she continued.
"I thought we could go to Castle Town." Kyra suggested as she followed.
"Castle Town is full of Hylians, people who aren't exactly known for their good opinion of Gerudo, we probably wouldn't be allowed entry. My mother is the Chief of my tribe, we'll be safe in the desert." Naora said, becoming agitated.
"But how far will it be to these springs, how many are there?" Kyra pressed.
"Enough!" Naora yelled, feeling guilty as the Zora girl shrank back in fear. "I...I'm sorry, I just really want to be with my people right now." she admitted.
"I don't want to be with mine...they don't care my father's dead, they just want the throne." she said, tears coming to her eyes.
"Don't shed any tears, everything will be alright." she said with a smile, guilt welling up inside of her as she remembered that it was Shilara who killed King Laorik.
"How do you know?" Kyra shot.
"Because, you're my friend, and friends help each other, so I see no issue with taking my sisters to Zora's domain and politely convincing your people to follow you." she said with a smile.
"But they say I'm too young." Kyra replied.
"Prince Ralis was around your age when he took the throne during the Age of Twilight, if the history I learned is correct. Beside's after a visit from some angry Gerudo women, they won't have much to say." she said with a laugh, Kyra giving her a small smile.
The two resumed their trek, Naora hacking through the brush and vines with her scimitar, every now and then having to cut down a Deku Baba.
"Do you hear that?" Kyra asked, looking towards the sky.
"Hear what?" Naora replied in a puzzled tone.
"It sounded like...laughing." Kyra responded.
"Cackling you mean? We witches like to cackle!" a voice called out.
Kyra yelped as she spun around, Naora leaping in front of her and holding her blade aloft as the two Gerudo Witches laughed.
"So the little girl is back." Koume said.
"Mmm, yes, but where is our son." Kotake replied.
"Get out of here! Leave! Before I take your heads off, witches!" Naora growled.
"The little girl threatens us, does she?" Koume said.
"Oh, that she does Koume." the other witch replied, the two laughing again.
"He isn't here, besides, he has no interest in speaking with you." Naora responded, leaving out Ganondorf's name.
"Who are they? What do they want?" Kyra asked as she backed away.
"My, my, there's a little one here, a member of the Zora people she looks to be." Kotake observed.
"I sense power within her." Koume responded.
"I'm done with you!" Naora roared, charging the witches.
Kotake raised her hand, mentally stopping Naora mid-stride and tossing her onto her back.
"Foolish girl, we came because we thought our son might be with you, but seeing as he's not, we can do away with you." Kotake cackled.
"You're the fools, he raised a protection spell around us so no one could track us down...he did it with you in mind." Naora taunted.
"The fact that he's not here and the spell is no longer cast upon you seems to suggest you've been banished from his side and he no longer cares for you...my sister and I never liked you anyway!" Kotake said with a laugh, readying a ball of flame. "I'll burn you to ash, slowly." she sneered.
"Kotake!" Koume called.
"Not now!" Kotake responded.
"The Zora girl, she's a Sage!" Koume exclaimed.
"A Sage?! If she's to live she'll be a threat to him! Kill her, kill her, kill her!" Kotake called.
"No!" Naora yelled as she stood.
A distracted Kotake threw the ball of fire, Naora leaping back as it exploded at her feet.
Koume outstretched her arms, a stream of ice blasting forth at the Zora Princess.
Kyra made to grab the staff, having slung it over her back, but realizing she didn't have the time, extended her hands, the stream of ice stopping a half meter from her.
"You can't win, girl!" Koume called.
Kyra let out a cry, shaking as she pushed with all of her might, the ice slowly moving away from her and towards the witch.
"No, no, this can't be!" Koume yelled as her arms shook.
Kyra thought of her father, his death filling her with rage. "I won't let you win!" she yelled. With one final push, the Gerudo witch was flash frozen before she could scream.
"Koume!" Kotake yelled.
Naora took the opportunity to leap forward, kicking to witch away before slashing at her.
Kotake flew back, suddenly screaming as she felt her face, blood streaming from a cut that went from cheek to cheek.
"Did you forget how fast my sword hand is?" she said with a smirk.
"Die!" Kotake screamed, sending a ball of flame flying into the Gerudo woman, striking her and knocking her to the ground.
"Naora!" Kyra screamed. The Zora girl attempted to run to her friend, but was caught by Kotake's telekinesis.
"You're next." the witch growled.
Naora lay on the ground, her teeth clenched as she attempted to rise, her body defying her. "No, I won't let it end like this." she thought, channeling all of her strength into her arms to no avail. Her eyes shot open as Kyra's screams reached her ears, fury rising inside of her. She pushed herself up, scenes from her life playing over in her head, her fights with Shilara, her relationship with Kai, his transformation into Ganondorf...a rush of emotion flowed over her as she rose to her feet, the final thing she thought of was falling...falling after her betrothed threw her off of a the Castle wall in that distant land.
Kyra screamed as the witches hold tightened, a ball of fire roaring to life above her other hand. "Time to burn, little fish." she crowed.
"Let. Her. Go." Naora called, a strange power she had never before felt building inside of her.
Kotake released her hold on Kyra, the Princess falling to the ground as the two Gerudo women approached each other.
"This is impossible, I killed you!" Kotake called.
"As long as my spirit is strong, you nor anyone else will ever break me!" yelled, the energy she felt inside of her exploding outwards, an orange aura exploding around her.
"What?! You! A Sage?!" That's impossible, I would have sensed it!" Kotake yelled.
"A Sage?" Naora questioned, observing the aura that surrounded her.
"I'll kill you both!" Kotake roared, flying into the air and raining down balls of flame, making sure to avoid her sister.
Naora raised her scimitar, deflecting each blast as she raced towards Kyra, the Zora girl drawing water from the ground to combat the flames. "Help me reach her!" she called.
"How?" Kyra asked.
"You know." Naora said with a smile.
Kyra nodded, extending her staff towards the Gerudo woman, a geyser erupting beneath her feet and sending her skyward.
Kotake growled with anger, continuing her barrage only to find one her targets had vanished. "Where did you go, girl?" she growled.
"Right here!" Naora called, the Gerudo woman tackled the witch out of the air, the two crashing to the ground in short order.
Kotake stood up, loosing a torrent of fire upon Naora, the Gerudo woman countering it with a blast of orange energy. With one push, Naora's energy quickly overtook the stream of flame, pushing threw it and sending the witch flying across the meadow.
"How can this be?" Kotake asked as she limped towards her still frozen sister.
Naora and Kyra readied themselves, gazes locking with the Gerudo Witch.
"You'll regret this." she warned, grabbing a hold of her sister and teleporting away.
Naora fell to her knees as her aura dissipated. "Me...a Sage?" she thought.
oOo
Link sat idly as the Minister's bickered, while Audrik, who had returned early, and Zelda attempting to mediate.
"Attempting to retake Gamelon would be suicide!" Farin Zant called out.
"Some of the Zora that took up residence in Castle Town have already pledged their service after the last attack, so keep in mind that our forces are still growing." Audrik said.
"I'll lend you all the forces I've brought with me, please, free my kingdom." Princess Kayala pleaded.
"Termina is surrounded by the enemy, for all we know they could already have fallen." Minister Kendres answered.
"The last communication we received from Termina indicated they are still free, but worried that there could be an incursion at any moment." Minister Talisk responded.
"I've made up my mind." Zelda said, breaking her silence.
The room became quiet as all eyes turned to her, Link joining them.
"Freeing Gamelon must be done, three of the five lands being under Ganondorf's control is unacceptable and dangerous. We've been put at a grave disadvantage and I seek to rectify that. The fact that Ganondorf hasn't made his presence known for almost five months now leads me to believe he's lying dormant or is focused on something else, which would make this the optimal time to strike, as he is preoccupied and his forces are near leaderless." she announced.
"I volunteer to go with." Erris said, being the first to speak up.
"Absolutely not, while you have been afforded certain privileges, you are still a prisoner!" Minister Hawkwood shouted as he stood.
"Let him come, we might need him." Link replied.
"His place is her at the Castle, where he can be guarded and kept an eye on." Viscen argued.
"You believe your guards to be more skilled than me? I've been a guard before, and not just in this life. I can take care of him." Link said, Viscen gritting his teeth as Zelda shifted her gaze onto him.
"If my son goes, then so shall I." Cia said, drumming her fingers on the table.
"I'll allow it, we'll need a strong Sorcerer with our forces." Zelda said.
"Thank you Princess." Cia said with a smile.
"You better get my country back, considering this is your doing." Princess Kayala accused, eyes set on Erris.
"Wait one moment, you sent the Dragon Knight to take the country, and appointed him regent...why not just order him to surrender it?" Audrik asked.
"Your giant of a general forced me to attempt that, I have't been able to contact Volga, and he hasn't attempted to contact me...as you all know, Ganondorf's powers include bending individuals to his will...I fear Volga has fallen victim to this ability." Erris said.
"Well that's fantastic. I really should have seen that one coming." Audrik groaned.
"It's decided then, Gamelon shall be freed." Zelda said.
"Before you go, take this." Princess Kayala said, placing the Scepter of Gamelon on the table. "It's said it felled a demon in one blow...giving this to you to use is the least I can do."
"Princess, I advise against-" a Gamelonian representative said, being silenced by a glare from Kayala.
"Thank you Princess, we're very grateful for your assistance." Zelda said with a smile. "Meeting adjourned!"
oOo
"Goodbye for now my love, you have my word I will return safely, as I always do." Link said.
"I know, and I'll hold you to that." Zelda said.
Link embraced Zelda, placing his forehead against hers, she stayed strong, but he knew she was worried still.
The Hero and Princess shared a kiss before Link departed. He looked back as Zelda nodded, sending him her strength.
He made his way through the courtyard, Knights, squires, and Guards making their way passed him, carrying weapons and supplies. He couldn't help but feel nervous, if Labrynna and Holodrum came to the aid of Gamelon's occupying force, this had the makings of being the largest military engagement he'd ever taken part in, and one Hyrule and Termina, even as a unified force, might not win.
"What are you moping about?"
Having some trouble leaving the Princess behind?" familiar voices called.
Link turned, finding none other than Trystane, Thrakon, Aren, Kallil, and Elgon leaning against the Castle's outer wall.
"We've been waiting for quite a bit." Kallil remarked.
"You always did have a hard time getting to training on schedule." Elgon said with a smile.
Link couldn't help but grin as he approached his team, with them, he had no doubt they'd win.
oOo
Sorry for the long wait, I hope this chapter didn't disappoint! The team's back together and Gamelon's next on their hit list!
Gerudospirit: I'm glad you liked Link's interactions with his mother and Marin after being gone for so long and revealing he's the Hero, I'd been planning to write that scene for a while so a lot of thought went into it! I think calling my story epic is the best compliment I've gotten thus far! Thank you for the review! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Gerng: I did feel bad for doing that to Marin. So is the nature of the Hero, unfortunately! Thanks for he review! :)
I sincerely hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please review and thank you for the read!
-Prometheus17